when you're dealing with deficit reduction -- i just described how we got into a deficit situation. but when you're dealing with a deficit situation and you say we need to make sacrifices, it is absolutely appropriate and ask who is best able to make those sacrifices? and right now, as i think most americans know, the wealthiest people in this country are doing phenomenally well. large corporations are enjoying record-breaking profits. that's one group of people. meanwhile, the middle class of this country is disappearing, and we have 46 million people living in poverty. so common morality, basic morality says who do you ask most significant throeu help with deficit reduction? do you tell annoyed worker who is trug -- do you tell an unkphroeud -- do you tell an unemployed worker we're going to balance the budget on your back or do you say to a huge profitable corporation that in some cases is paying nothing in taxes, we're going to ask you to help us with deficit reduction? mr. president, it is important for us to do what we do too rarely on the floor of the senate: take a hard look